PICO RIVERA – Residents will be asked to weigh an increased sales tax against city services in November.

That’s because they will vote on Measure P, which would increase sales tax from 8.25 to 9.25 percent of each purchase made in the city.

The money garnered from the tax, estimated by city officials to be about $6 million, would help close a $4.8 million structural deficit in Pico Rivera’s yearly budget, build a new library and complete a long-shelved parks master plan.

“We’re looking at long-term sustainability,” City Manager Chuck Fuentes said about the reason the tax was proposed.

Money spent on groceries and prescriptions would not be taxed under the law, nor would money for personal services, like getting a haircut.

Fuentes said without the tax, “draconion” cuts would be implemented to balance the budget. This would mean the loss of parks and recreation programs, firing city staff and giving up on street repair projects and parks improvements.

In order to get the measure on the ballot, the City Council had to vote unanimously that the city was in a state of fiscal emergency. Councilman David Armenta, who opposes the sales tax, voted against the state of emergency, but the four remaining council members voted to approve it while Armenta was on vacation a few weeks later.

Proponents of the measure say it will preserve vital city services at a cost of just one penny on the dollar, but those against Measure P say it will hurt Pico Rivera businesses and those who shop in the community.

Armenta said he has spoken to business owners who may leave the city, because they may lose their competitive edge on big-ticket items like cars, refrigerators and the like.

He said he also believes the other council members intend to borrow as much as $60 million through bonds, using the projected $6 million revenue.

The city already has about $100 million in redevelopment debt.

But the rest of the council says the tax may be the only way to build a new library, preserve city services and keep improving law enforcement.

Mayor Ron Beilke, Fuentes and others initially said they would consider bonding for $60 million, but now say $15 million or so is more likely. Even that amount, they said, will make way for city improvements.

“People are going to look at the city and think about the way the city’s changed in the past few years,” Beilke said. “They like the changes they see. This is what it’s going to cost us to do it.”